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America in Bloom
Planting Pride in Your Community | |
Photo Credit
Addison, Texas
2010 Turf and Groundcovers Criteria Award Winner
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Get in on the Excitement & Community-Building Momentum
 It's time to register your community to participate in the 2011 America in Bloom contest. The deadline to register is February 28, BUT if you register by December 31 we'll give you a FREE "Best Ideas" book ($50 retail value) that outlines the best ideas from AIB cities over the years.
Register now.
To learn more about the contest, the benefits of participation, and how to make the most of your experience, click here. |
City Trees Discourage 'Shady' Behavior
Along with energy conservation and storm-water reduction, scientists may soon be adding crime-fighting to the list of benefits that urban trees provide.
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Warwick, New York Wins International Competition
Congratulations to Warwick, New York, for recently winning the "International Challenge," that is coordinated by Communities in Bloom in Canada. Warwick, a 2003 AIB winner, was the winner in the small city category besting seven other competitors from Canada and Europe. Way to go! |
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Save the Date! 2011 AIB Symposium & Awards
Capital Ideas - 10 Years of Best Ideas from Communities Across America
Join us October 6-8, 2011 in the Washington, D.C. area for the 10th annual America in Bloom Symposium & Awards program. Get take-home ideas on how to bring together municipal, commercial, and residential sectors to improve your town. Learn from innovators and leaders, community activists, and environmental champions and network with towns and cities that have been successful at growing their economy while beautifying their community. More details will be announced soon! See pictures from the recent 2010 symposium in St Louis.
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Former America in Bloom Judge Passes Away
 Our condolences to family and friends of former America in Bloom judge Greg Speichert who passed away earlier this month while on business travel.
Greg was the director of the Hilltop Garden and Nature Center at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He devoted his life to plants and introduced more than 400 of them to the gardening community.
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Sharing the Value of AIB with Realtors
 Several studies have shown that real estate values increase in communities that are beautiful; that landscaped homes sell faster; and communities with well maintained green spaces have less crime. AIB shared that message with realtors earlier this month during the National Association of Realtors Expo in New Orleans. Thank you to AIB judge and board member Jack Clasen, and Bloomington, Indiana Realtor Gretchen Scott for representing AIB at this event. |
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From Kids' Mouths . . .
By Marvin Miller, AIB President
 I recently returned from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where I attended Canada's Communities in Bloom celebration. While there, I developed a little callus on my forehead from changing hats, as I represented both America in Bloom and my full-time employer, Ball Horticultural Company.
For AIB, I was proud to share some of the best ideas from our cities, as recounted in our "Best Ideas" book. The crowd seemed very receptive to the idea that we share over 2,000 unique ideas from U.S. cities, arranged according to the eight judging criteria in our book, and a number of books were sold. Order your copy the lastest edition of the AIB Best Ideas today!
Read the full article on America in Bloom's blog. |
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Going to National League of Cities?
Nearly 4,000 municipal leaders will be in Denver next month for the National League of Cities Expo. If you're going, stop by the AIB booth (#649) to talk with AIB president Marvin Miller and AIB judge and board member Katy Moss Warner.
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Have a story to share? We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your
community, or let us know about a community you have visited that
should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, LKunkle@ofa.org.
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